I have too much…'- Harshal Patel speaks about dismissing Dhoni for Golden Duck

The match number 53 saw of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 saw a high voltage clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the beautiful Dharamshala stadium. However, the moment of the game came in the first innings when the PBKS pacer Harshal Patel dismissed the veteran CSK batter, MS Dhoni for a golden duck.

Patel claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries during the 19th over of CSK’s innings, reducing them to 150 for 8. Patel’s first victim was Shardul Thakur who was bowled by a slower delivery, prompting a roar from the crowd anticipating the arrival of the next batter at No. 9. Amid the customary thunderous applause that greets Dhoni in Indian stadiums, Patel delivered another slower ball, catching the 42-year-old off guard.

The off-stump was dislodged as Dhoni missed, silencing the crowd momentarily. While Patel raised his arms in celebration, he refrained from excessive jubilation, understanding the fans’ desire to witness Dhoni’s final appearance at the venue. But after the game, in the mid innings chat, the PBKS star bowler shed light on the silent celebration that did after the picking up MS Dhoni’s wicket. In the chat, Patel said that he has immense respect for the former India skipper and that is major reason why he did not celebrate the wicket much.

“I have too much respect for MS Dhoni to celebrate much,” Harshal Patel said on why he did celebrate after the wicket.

PBKS need 168 runs to win the game

The host team didn’t start well in their chase of 168 runs, losing Jonny Bairstow’s wicket in the second over, followed by Rilee Rossouw’s dismissal in the same over for a duck. PBKS have a history of struggling under chase pressure.

At present, half of their batting lineup is back in the pavilion. Currently, they are 72/5 in the 11th over, with skipper Sam Curran and Ashutosh Sharma at the crease.